Tips about Magic Kingdom and Strollers

Just thought folks might like to know that Disney's Hollywood Studios cast members will tell you to bring your stroller onto the tram portion of the Backlot Tour. The place we were told to place the stroller (on a "platform" directly behind our seat, about level with our heads) didn't really look like it was designed for that purpose, but we did as we were told. We then spent the entire trip listening to a very unpleasant woman behind us complaining loudly because it was blocking her view (of what, I don't know; most everything was immediately right or left, not directly ahead). My husband tried explaining to her that was where the attraction staff told us to store it, but she was inconsolable. In short, if you want yourself and others to enjoy the attraction fully, you might want to consider leaving your stroller behind, and coming back to retrieve it later. The tram does not let off at the same place it starts, but the extra walking is better than the alternative in my opinion. - Marci

When we dropped off our stroller at Fantasmic the CM asked me to empty out our stroller. Fortunately I asked why, noticing that other strollers had not been emptied. I was told that since it was a park stroller it would be folded and at the end of Fantasmic I would be able to pick up any park stroller and use it to leave. PROBLEM: The stroller I had was mine, a green 3-wheeled jogger, looking nothing like the strollers at Disney's Hollywood Studios!!! Good thing I asked or my stroller would have been gone. - Kramer

We brought our own stroller for the 2 yr old. Your tip on the Stroller for the BIG kids (9 & 7) was great for EPCOT. At the Pavillion area we let the two big ones into a double stroller and everyone was very happy. With all the walking through the World Showcase, the older kids were much happier using the stroller from place to place. We didn't mind pushing them as it gave us a chance to SEE the pavillions. They were excited to get the strollers and we kept them busy by handing them the camcorder for "Kids-Cam" time. The funniest movies are from the kids perspective going through Epcot via the strollers. - Chris Swanson

I had two kids with me and we rented the strollers for packages and for them to take a break every now and then. My kids are a 4'11" and 5 foot and they enjoyed the strollers. Some people may have thought it was crazy but they needed a break every now and then too. I personally think a stroller only makes the walking a little nicer having, gives you something to lean on while your walking and really makes a difference with not worrying over who is going to carry the back packs etc. - Neanie9

I would recommend that you don't assume that an older child 4 or 5 is too old for a stroller, there is alot of walking and usually alot of heat plus it helps to keep track of them, We were able to keep up a pretty good pace in the parks even to late at night by taking a break in the afternoon and putting the 5 year old in a stroller. - marsee

Don't take your own stroller! We almost did. I just thought my daughter would be so much more comfortable in her own and that the plastic ones at WDW would be hot and uncomfortable. After watching so many folks down there wrestling to get their strollers on and off the monorail and bus, and am grateful we rented. $7.00 gets you a stroller for the entire day and Perri was very comfortable. Plus if you change parks, it is nice to leave that one behind during the commute and pick up a new one at the next park. - Kelli Williams

If your youngest may possibly need a stroller (my youngest is currently 6), I would bring it. Additionally, I've been using our diaper bag as a carry-on. At the minimum, we use the stroller to trundle our "stuff", which is generally in the diaper bag - not valuable stuff (like cameras, wallets, etc...), but stuff like paper napkins, straws, water bottles, leftover food, maps for the parks you're not currently visiting, wipes, first aid kit, kleenex, hats, ponchos, sunglasses, whatever!, etc... We've been fortunate that our stroller/diaper bag (which is monogrammed) has never been stolen at Disney, so we continue to believe it will never be violated. It's even good for a tired 5 year old (and will likely be great for our tired 6 year old, who is still under 45 lbs!). Our stroller is now over 10 years old (so we won't worry if it *is* stolen) and is fairly light and easy to fold up (it's an umbrella style by MacLaren). - Audrey Ishizaki

On our last trip in May, my husband came up with an idea for some extra storage in our 2.5 year olds stroller. He took a standard sized bicycle bag and used plastic cable ties to secure it to the front of the stroller beneath the seat. It was a great place to store items that we didn't need to get at frequently, i.e a change of clothes for our toddler, first aid supplies, etc. We have a Graco Lite Rider, but I think this would work on most full size strollers. The bike bag did not interfere in any way with the strollers operation, and best yet, it did not have to be removed when the stroller was folded. It really helped us maximize storage and stay organized.

Something else that we found useful...we secured one of those d-ring key chain clips to the stroller handle with a Velcro strap. It was a handy place to hang all of our souvenir shopping bags that we would accumulate! - Jackie Beering

Whether you bring your own stroller, or rent one at the parks (and sometimes they sell out-megabummer!) figure out a way to "customize" yours. For example, having a colorful scarf you can tie around the handle. There will be numerous times you will have to pick your stroller out of a parking lot of strollers as you come out of a ride, and there may be many that look just like yours. - Mindie Lou

I wanted to thank you for a tip I read about on your website. We chose to go to Disney during the hurricane season and although the hurricane never came on land, we did feel its effects. It rained every day at 4 p.m. (more than the usual daily Orlando shower). We have a 4 year old who required a stroller and was extremely afraid of getting his clothes wet. Luckily I had read about the stroller cover you can purchase at Babies R' Us which protects the stroller from rain. It was a lifesaver. Alex and our items that were stored under the stroller, remained dry everyday. It folds away like those playhut tents into a small, flat circle. It was the best ten dollars we spent! Alex was happy and so were we. - Angie and Bill

ALL PARKS - I found that if you get tired of waiting in long lines, and you don't mind splitting up your party ( maybe to 1, 2,or even 3) some attractions offer singles lines. These lines help fill up unused space. I tried this at Test Track and the normal wait time was 70 minutes. It took me 5 minutes on the singles line and I still got a seat with my parents. - Matthew

ALL PARKS - While wandering around Walt Disney World, I like to carry a small plastic tube for paper souvenirs. I use a plastic tennis ball container that has a lid -- other similar tubes will work well. This allows me to store maps, menus, napkins and any other paper items without them being crushed, wrinkled or soaked. I just put them under a few heavy books when I get home. - Brian Brennan

ALL PARKS - Be sure to have a group destination while walking around the park -- for example, once everyone in your party has ridden Buzz, decide where your group is headed, just in case someone gets separated. Then the rest of the group will continue on to that spot and wait until you regroup. This happened to us recently at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party -- while heading toward the Haunted Mansion, the first parade ended and it was crazy in front of the castle. Our group of 11 broke up into 8 and 3 and luckily we all headed on to Haunted Mansion and waited until everyone met up again. It took only about 20 minutes to regroup, instead of everyone heading off to a "central meeting place" like in front of the castle! It is also always good to have a specific spot for emergencies, like at the Sword in the Stone, for example. Just stay together! That 20 minutes separated was scary. - Suzanne from Patchogue, NY

MAGIC KINGDOM - Time your ride of Splash Mountain around the fireworks display. Not only is the line usually shorter as everyone rushes to get a good spot to see the fireworks but, if you're lucky, you can emerge mid-ride into the open air, to a sky lit up by fireworks with a fantastic view. It happened to us by chance and we've managed to time our rides to that magical moment since then. Truly fantastic! - Joy Kennedy

ALL PARKS - I thought it might be a good idea to remind people to NOT help themselves to the ice that most WDW shops use to cool the water in the popular "Squeeze Breeze" bottles. We fill the bottles (with potable water) and then place them in a container of ice. That ice came from a restaurant or counter service and most likely started out sanitary. But after being in the container for a while, exposed to the air, bugs, and many little hands, it is no longer sanitary, and should not be placed into any bottles. There was an incident of people getting sick after being sprayed (in the face) with water from a bottle like that last year. Likewise, giving kids some of the ice from those containers to suck on is a bad idea. It's better to go to any counter service location and ask for some ice in a cup. - A WDW Cast Member